MS4.nl 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/lawsinforcerelatOOnewh 


LAWS  IN  FOECE 

RELATING  TO  THE 

STATE  LIBRARY 


Some  Laws  for  the  Benefit  of*  Free 
Public  Libraries. 


CONCORD,  N.  H.: 

EDWARD  N.  PEARSON,  PUBLIC  PRINTER. 

18  9 4. 


PRINTED  BY 


THE  REPUBLICAN  PRESS  ASSOCIATION, 
CONCORD,  N.  H. 


I s ^ Yy  IZ 


ozi.siz 
4 11 


LAWS  I1ST  FOECE 

RELATING  TO  THE 

NEW  HAMPSHIRE  STATE  LIBRARY, 

FREE  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES,  ETC. 


PUBLIC  STATUTES,  1891,  CHAPTER  8. 


A 

U 


THE  STATE  AND  OTHER  PUBLIC  LI- 
BRARIES. 

Section 

1.  State  library,  for  whose  use,  and 

when  open. 

2.  Library,  control  of. 

3.  Trustees,  appointment,  removal, 

and  tenure  of  office  of. 

4.  Trustees,  duties  of. 

5.  Books,  etc.,  to  be  purchased  for 

library. 

6.  Trustees  to  designate  who  shall 

receive  state  publications  in  ex- 
change. 

7.  May  suspend  such  benefits,  when. 

8.  Surplus  books  or  publications  may 

be  sold  by  trustees. 

9.  Rare  pamphlets,  reprints  of, 

authorized. 

10.  Examination  of  library  by  trustees 

semi-annually. 

11.  Trustees  to  make  report  to  legisla- 

ture biennially. 

12.  Librarian,  duties  of. 

13.  Cataloguing  of  books  and  record 

of  prices. 


I Section 

14.  Record  of  books  fallen  from  li- 

brary. 

15.  Missing  books  to  be  recovered  or 

paid  for  by  librarian. 

I 16.  Books,  by  whom  taken,  and  under 
what  regulations. 

17.  Books  to  be  taken  only  by  delivery 

of  librarian. 

18.  School  catalogues  to  be  sent  to 

library. 

19.  Three  thousand  dollars  annually 

appropriated. 

******** 

FREE  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES. 

21.  Library  commissioners,  appoint- 

ment and  tenure  of  office. 

22.  Their  duties. 

23.  Same  subject. 

24.  Towns,  when  entitled  to  benefits. 

25.  What  aid  to  furnish. 

26.  Incidental  expenses  of  commis- 

sioners provided  for. 


THE  STATE  LIBRARY. 

Section  i.  A state  library  shall  be  maintained  in  some  place 
provided  therefor  by  the  state,  for  the  use  of  the  governor  and 
council,  officers  of  the  state  government,  the  legislature  and  the 
clerks  thereof,  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court,  and  such  other 


4 


NEW  II  AMES  FIIK  E 


persons  as  the  trustees  may  determine.  It  shall  be  kept  open 
every  day,  except  Sundays  and  holidays. 

Sect.  2.  The  library  shall  be  under  the  management  and  con- 
trol of  three  trustees,  who  shall  serve  without  compensation 
other  than  actual  expenses  incurred  in  the  performance  of  their 
duties. 

Sect.  o.  They  shall  be  appointed  and  may  be  removed  by 
the  governor,  with  the  advice  of  the  council.  One  trustee  shall 
be  appointed  annually,  and  shall  hold  office  for  three  years 
unless  sooner  removed.  Any  vacancy  shall  be  tilled  by  the 
appointment  of  a trustee  for  the  unexpired  term. 

Sect.  4.  They  shall  make  all  purchases  of  books  and  sub- 
scriptions for  periodicals  for  the  library;  make  all  necessary 
rules  and  regulations  for  its  management  and  see  that  the  same 
are  enforced ; appoint  a librarian,  fix  his  compensation,  and 
define  his  duties  except  so  far  as  the  same  are  prescribed  by 
law. 

Sect.  5.  They  shall  procure  for  the  library  full  sets  of  the 
statutes  and  law  reports  of  the  United  States  and  of  the  several 
states ; histories,  including  those  of  the  counties  and  towns  of 
this  state  whenever  published ; maps,  charts,  works  on  agri- 
culture, political  economy,  the  arts  and  natural  sciences  ; copies 
of  state  papers  and  publications  relating  to  the  material,  social, 
and  religious  conditions  of  the  people  or  bearing  upon  the  busi- 
ness and  objects  of  legislation ; and  such  other  works  as  they 
may  deem  suitable,  works  of  fiction  excepted. 

Sect.  6.  They  may  designate  states,  governments,  institu- 
tions, libraries,  officials,  and  persons  to  be  the  recipients  of  the 
publications  of  this  state  whenever  they  shall  find  that  by 
exchange  or  otherwise  it  will  be  to  the  advantage  of  the  state 
library. 

Sect.  7.  Whenever  it  shall  be  found  by  the  trustees  of  the 
state  library  that  any  state,  government,  department  of  govern- 
ment, institution,  or  official  to  whom  any  or  all  of  the  publica- 
tions of  this  state  are  sent,  is  not  making  fair  or  reasonable 
return  to  the  state  library  of  this  state  of  its  publications  or 
other  matter  which  is  the  subject  of  exchange,  the  trustees  may 
suspend  such  delinquents  from  the  benefits  of  receiving  all  or 


LIBRARY  LAWS. 


iiny  specified  part  of  the  publications  of  this  state  for  such  time 
as  they  may  deem  advisable. 

Sect.  8.  They  may  dispose  of  the  surplus  state  and  other 
publications  deposited  from  time  to  time  in  the  state  library, 
and  of  such  other  books,  pamphlets,  charts,  and  documents  as 
are  unnecessary  for  the  uses  of  the  library,  and  use  the  proceeds 
thereof  for  its  benefit. 

Sect.  9.  They  may  authorize  the  public  printer  to  reprint  a 
limited  edition  of  pamphlets  relating  to  official  transactions  and 
matters  of  public  interest  in  this  state  that  have  been  hereto- 
fore regularly  published  and  have  become  rare,  not  exceeding 
reprints  of  ten  originals  in  any  one  year.  They  may  sell  at 
cost  and  exchange  for  the  benefit  of  the  library  such  of  the 
reprints  as  are  not  needed  to  complete  its  sets. 

Sect.  10.  They  shall  at  least  twice  each  year  examine  care- 
fully into  the  condition  of  the  library,  ascertain  what  books, 
maps,  charts,  and  papers  are  missing  therefrom,  furnish  to  the 
librarian  a list  thereof,  and  cause  such  list  and  a statement  of 
the  condition  of  the  library  to  be  entered  upon  their  records. 

Sect.  11.  The  librarian  shall  file  with  the  secretary  of  state, 
on  or  before  the  first  day  of  October  preceding  each  biennial 
session,  a report  to  the  legislature  giving  a detailed  statement 
of  the  receipts  and  expenditures  on  account  of  the  library,  and 
separate  lists  of  all  books,  maps,  charts,  and  other  documents 
lost,  sold,  purchased,  and  acquired  by  donation  and  exchange 
since  the  last  report,  and  containing  such  recommendations  and 
other  matters  as  they  may  deem  useful. 

Sect.  12.  He  shall  be  sworn  and  shall  hold  office  during  the 
pleasure  of  the  trustees.  He  shall  act  as  clerk  of  the  trustees 
and  make  a record  of  their  proceedings,  which  shall  be  kept  at 
the  library  and  be  open  to  public  inspection. 

Sect.  13.  He  shall,  under  the  direction  of  the  trustees,  enter 
upon  the  catalogue  all  books  belonging  to  the  library,  number, 
label,  and  arrange  them,  and  make  a record  of  the  prices  paid 
therefor. 

Sect.  14.  He  shall  keep  a record  of  each  book,  map,  chart, 
or  other  document  taken  from  the  library,  the  name  of  the  per- 
son taking  it,  the  time  when  taken,  and  when  returned. 


<; 


NKW  HAMPSHIRE 


Sect.  15.  lie  shall  cause  all  books,  maps,  charts,  and  other 
documents  reported  to  him  by  the  trustees  as  missing  to  be 
returned  to  the  library  within  thirty  days  after  such  report,  or 
pay  the  state  the  value  thereof. 

Sect.  16.  The  governor,  councilors,  members,  and  clerks  of 
the  legislature,  and  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court  during  the 
terms  of  court  may  take  books  from  the  library ; and  the  trus- 
tees may  permit  any  persons  to  take  books,  maps,  charts,  and 
other  documents  from  the  library  at  any  time  for  a period  not 
exceeding  twenty-four  hours  at  a time,  all  subject  to  such  reg- 
ulations and  limitations  as  they  may  impose. 

Sect.  17.  No  book,  map,  chart,  or  other  document  shall  be 
taken  from  the  library  without  the  delivery  thereof  by  the  libra- 
rian, nor  until  it  has  been  entered  by  him  upon  a record  kept 
for  that  purpose. 

Sect.  1<S.  The  principal  of  each  college,  academy,  seminar}7, 
or  other  institution  of  learning  incorporated  by  the  laws  of  this 
state,  shall  annually,  and  before  the  first  day  of  November  of 
each  year,  forward  to  the  state  librarian  for  the  state  library, 
two  copies,  and  to  the  New  Hampshire  Historical  Society  two 
copies  of  each  printed  catalogue  of  its  officers  and  students  and 
courses  of  studies  published  during  the  year  ending  on  that 
date. 

Sect.  19.  The  sum  of  three  thousand  dollars  is  appropriated 
annually  for  the  library,  to  be  expended  under  the  direction  of 
the  trustees  in  procuring  books,  maps,  charts,  and  other  doc- 
uments for  the  library,  in  binding  and  preserving  books,  pam- 
phlets, and  other  documents  therein,  and  in  purchasing  furniture 
and  other  necessary  conveniences  therefor. 

* -x-  * * -X- 

free  public  libraries. 

Sect.  21.  The  governor,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
council,  shall  appoint  four  persons,  residents  of  the  state,  who 
together  with  the  state  librarian  shall  constitute  a board  of  library 
commissioners.  The  governor  shall  designate  the  chairman 
thereof.  Two  members  of  the  board  shall  be  appointed  for  the 
term  of  four  years  and  two  for  two  years,  and  thereafter  the 


LIBRARY  LAWS. 


term  of  office  of  the  commissioners  shall  be  two  years.  All 
vacancies  on  the  board  shall  be  filled  by  the  governor,  with  the 
consent  of  the  council. 

Sect.  22.  The  librarian  or  trustees  of  any  free  public  library 
may  ask  the  board  for  advice  in  regard  to  the  selection  of  books, 
cataloguing  of  books,  and  any  other  matters  pertaining  to 
the  maintenance  or  administration  of  the  library ; and  the  board 
shall  give  such  advice  in  regard  to  the  matters  as  it  shall  find 
practicable.  The  board  shall  make  a report  of  its  doings  to  the 
legislature  biennially,  which  shall  be  printed  in  the  report  of  the 
state  librarian. 

Sect.  23.  The  board  is  hereby  authorized  and  directed  to 
expend,  upon  the  application  of  any  town  having  no  free  public 
library  owned  and  controlled  by  the  town,  a sum  not  exceeding- 
one  hundred  dollars  for  books  for  such  town  entitled  to  the  ben- 
efits of  these  provisions,  such  books  to  be  used  by  the  town  for 
the  purpose  of  establishing  a free  public  library ; and  the 
commissioners  shall  select  and  purchase  all  books  to  be  so 
proArided . 

Sect.  24.  No  town  shall  be  entitled  to  the  benefits  of  these 
proAdsions  relative  to  free  public  libraries,  until  such  town  has 
accepted  the  pixmsions  at  a regularly  called  town  meeting,  and 
until  the  town  shall  have  provided  in  a satisfactory  manner  to 
the  board  of  commissioners  for  the  care,  custody,  and  distribu- 
tion of  the  books  furnished  in  accordance  therewith. 

Sect.  25.  Any  town  accepting  the  provisions  aforesaid  shall 
annually  appropriate  for  the  use  and  maintenance  of  its  free 
public  library,  a sum  not  less  than  fifty  dollars  if  its  last  assessed 
A^aluation  was  one  million  dollars  or  upward,  or  a sum  not  less 
than  twenty-free  dollars  if  the  valuation  was  less  than  one  mil- 
lion and  not  less  than  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars,  or 
a sum  not  less  than  fifteen  dollars  if  the  valuation  was  less  than 
two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars. 

Sect.  26.  No  member  of  the  board  of  commissioners  shall 
receive  any  compensation,  but  the  board  may  expend  a sum  not 
exceeding  three  hundred  dollars1  annually  for  clerical  assistance 
and  incidental  and  necessary  expenses  in  the  discharge  of  its 

1 Increased  to  $500  by  ch.  77,  Laws  of  1893. 


8 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE 


duties;  and  all  sums  expended  under  these  provisions  relative  to 
free  public  libraries  shall  be  paid  from  the  state  treasury  after 
the  bills  therefor  have  been  approved  by  the  board  and  by  the 
governor  and  council. 


Chapter  5,  Section  14. 1 The  distribution  and  exchange  of 
publications  of  the  state,  except  to  the  general  court,  and  to 
officials  and  municipalities  of  the  state  and  where  otherwise  pro- 
vided, shall  be  made  through  the  state  library.  The  secretary  of 
state  upon  their  receipt  shall  deliver  them  to  the  state  librarian, 
who  shall  make  the  exchange  and  distribution. 

Chapter  6,  Section  8.  * * * Two  hundred  additional 
copies  [of  printed  bills  of  the  legislature]  together  with  five 
copies  of  each  daily  paper  containing  the  official  report  of  the 
legislative  proceedings  shall  be  provided  for  preservation  and 
exchange  in  the  state  library. 

Chapter  5,  Section  7.  * * * The  publisher  [of  each 
weekly  newspaper  in  the  state  publishing  the  laws]  shall,  with- 
out further  compensation,  beginning  with  the  first  number  of  the 
volume  of  such  publication  next  after  the  passage  of  this  act, 
send  one  copy  of  the  newspaper  regularly  to  the  state  library. 
And  see  chap.  5,  sect.  7,  V. 

Chapter  43,  Section  16.  The  chairman  of  the  board  of 
selectmen  of  towns  and  of  commissioners  of  village  districts 
shall  transmit  to  the  state  librarian  * * * two  copies  of  all 

printed  reports  of  the  officers  of  their  respective  towns  and 
village  districts  immediately  after  the  same  are  published. 

Chapter  208,  Section  11.  The  clerk  [of  court]  shall  furnish 
to  the  state  library  copies  of  all  reserved  cases  at  the  same  time 
they  are  furnished  to  the  court,  and  shall  also  furnish  to  the 
library  a statement  of  the  final  order  made  in  each  case 
immediately  after  it  is  made. 

Chapter  287,  Section  6.  The  prevailing  party  in  an  action 
transferred  to  the  law  term  of  the  supreme  court  shall  be  entitled 
to  tax  and  recover  of  the  adverse  party,  for  the  brief  of  his 
counsel,  a reasonable  sum  not  exceeding  fifteen  dollars  to  be 


References,  unless  otherwise  indicated,  are  to  the  Public  Statutes. 


LI  lilt  ARY  LAWS. 


9 

allowed  by  the  court,  if  a copy  of  the  brief  was  furnished  to 
each  member  of  the  court,  * * * and  the  state  library 
within  thirty  days  after  the  printed  case  was  distributed,  or  the 
case  was  in  order  for  briefs,  but  not  otherwise. 

Chapter  148,  Section  20.  The  directors  and  other  officers  of 
nil  corporations  doing  business  in  the  state  shall  transmit  to  the 
librarian  of  the  state  library  copies  of  all  printed  reports  made 
by  them  in  relation  to  the  affairs  of  the  corporations,  immediately 
after  the  same  are  published. 

Chapter  43,  Section  3.  * * * He  [town  clerk]  shall 

annually,  and  before  the  first  day  of  September,  make  returns  to 
the  state  librarian  of  the  names  and  post-office  addresses  of  the 
trustees,  officers,  and  librarians  of  all  public  libraries  within  the 
town  or  city.  Any  town  clerk  who  neglects  to  make  reports  as 
required  by  this  section  shall  be  subject  to  pay  a fine  of  twenty 
dollars  for  each  failure,  one  half  for  the  use  of  the  department 
to  which  he  fails  to  report,  and  the  other  half  for  the  use  of  the 
town. 


Distribution  of  Documents  (chap.  5,  sect.  13). 

Remainder  of  editions,  after  certain  distributions,  to  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  state  library  by  the  secretary  of  state : N.  H. 
Laws  (chap.  5,  sect.  6)  ; U.  S.  Laws  (chap.  5,  sect.  8)  ; 
Annual  Report  (chap.  5,  sect.  11)  ; N.  H.  Reports  (chap.  15, 
sect.  13)  ; County  Reports,  consolidated  (chap.  30,  sect.  1)  ; 
State  and  Provincial  Papers  (Pamphlet  Laws,  1881,  chap.  123)  ; 
Rebellion  Records  (Pamphlet  Laws,  1885,  chap.  12,  sect.  2). 
To  be  purchased  and  delivered  to  state  library : Histories  of 
N.  H.  Regiments  and  Military  Organizations  five  copies  of  each 
(Pamphlet  Laws,  1887,  chap.  145)  ; also  for  the  state  libraries 
of  other  states,  fifty  copies  of  each  (Pamphlet  Laws,  1889, 
chap.  128). 


I 0 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE 


LAWS  OF  1893,  CHAPTER  31. 

AN  ACT  IN  AMENDMENT  OP  CHAPTER  8 OF  THE  PUBLIC  STATUTES 
RELATIN'! ; TO  THE  ADMINISTRATION  OF  THE  STATE  LIBRARY. 


Section  Section 

1.  Town  or  city  clerk  must  report  to  5.  Penalty. 

state  librarian  concerning  local  ! 6.  Extra  copies  of  state  publications; 
libraries.  proviso. 

2.  Local  librarian  must  supply  infor-  7.  Provisions  for  supplemental  cata- 

mation  to  clerk.  logue. 

3.  Every  library  open  to  the  public,  8.  Assistance  to  librarian  provided. 

a public  library.  9.  Repealing  section. 

4.  Officers  mustfurnish  printed  reports  10.  Takes  effect. 

to  clerk. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in 
General  Court  convened : 

Section  1 . Every  city  or  town  clerk  shall,  within  thirty  clays 
after  the  annual  town  or  ward  meeting,  report  to  the  state  libra- 
rian the  name  of  any  public  library  within  the  city  or  town ; the 
names  and  postoffice  addresses  of  all  the  officers  of  each ; the 
manner  of  election  or  appointment  of  the  same ; the  town,  per- 
son, or  persons  in  whom  the  ownership  of  said  library  is  vested  ; 
for  whom  the  beneficiary  use  is  provided ; and  the  number  of 
volumes  owned  by  said  library.  He  shall  make  like  report  of 
the  names  of  officers  elected  or  appointed  at  any  other  time, 
immediately  after  their  election  or  appointment ; and  if  there  is 
no  public  library  within  the  city  or  town  he  shall  annually, 
within  said  time,  notify  the  state  librarian  of  the  fact. 

Sect.  2.  Whenever  the  information  necessary  for  such  report 
is  not  accessible  to  the  city  or  town  clerk,  the  librarian  of  any 
such  library  shall  seasonably  supply  the  same  to  said  officer,  or 
in  case  of  a vacancy  in  the  office  of  librarian,  some  other  officer 
or  director  of  the  library  shall  supply  the  same ; and  the  libra- 
rian or  director  of  every  public  library  shall,  on  or  before  the 
first  day  of  April  in  each  year,  make  such  additional  report 
concerning  such  libraries  as  may  be  required  by  the  state  libra- 
rian, to  be  forwarded  him  without  delay,  bv  the  city  or  town 
clerk  to  whom  it  is  made. 


LIBRARY  LAWS. 


1 1 


Sect.  3.  For  the  purposes  of  this  act,  every  library  regularly 
open  to  the  public,  or  to  some  portion  of  the  public,  with  or 
without  limitations,  shall  be  considered  a public  library, 
whether  its  ownership  is  vested  in  the  town,  in  a corporation, 
in  an  organized  association,  or  in  an  individual  or  individuals. 

Sect.  4.  The  chairmen  of  the  board  of  selectmen,  of  school 
boards,  village  commissioners,  and  all  other  public  officers  of 
the  city  or  town  organization  shall  promptly  supply  the  city  or 
town  clerk  of  their  respective  places  of  office  with  four  copies  of 
any  report  made  by  them  and  printed,  and  such  city  or  town 
clerk  shall,  without  delay,  forward  two  copies  of  the  same  to 
the  state  librarian,  and  two  copies  to  the  New  Hampshire  His- 
torical Society  at  Concord. 

Sect.  5.  Any  city  or  town  clerk  or  other  public  officer,  or  the 
officer  or  owner  of  any  public  library,  failing  to  comply  with 
the  law  as  herein  provided  shall  be  liable  to  the  fine  provided  in 
chapter  43,  section  3,  of  the  Public  Statutes. 

Sect.  6.  The  trustees  of  the  state  library  may  inform  the 
secretary  of  state  of  the  number  of  copies  of  any  publication  of 
the  state  that  may  be  required  for  sale  or  exchange  for  the 
benefit  of  the  state  library,  and  the  same  shall  be  printed, 
bound,  and  delivered  to  the  state  librarian  in  addition  to  the 
number  otherwise  required  by  law ; provided,  however,  that 
such  requisition  shall  be  made  while  the  work  may  be  done 
without  extra  expense  on  account  of  composition,  and  provided 
that  the  several  state  departments  shall  not  receive  a less  num- 
ber of  copies  for  official  distribution  than  is  now  authorized  by 
law. 

Sect.  7.  The  trustees  of  the  state  library  are  authorized  to 
cause  the  present  system  of  entry  of  accessions  by  classes  to  be 
omitted  from  the  report  of  the  librarian,  and  an  alphabetical 
catalogue  of  books  received  for  the  period  covered  by  each 
report  to  be  regularly  substituted  therefor,  so  far  as  such  books 
or  pamphlets  have  been  entered  in  the  official  catalogue,  so  that 
each  report  may  be  a printed  supplement  to  the  catalogue, 
provided  that  a catalogue  of  books  shall  be  first  made  and 
printed. 

Sect.  8.  The  librarian  shall  be  allowed  such  assistance  in 


12 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE 


arranging,  cataloguing,  and  maintaining  tlie  library  in  the  new 
library  building  as  shall  be  necessary,  and  the  expenses  be  paid 
from  the  treasury  after  approval  by  the  trustees. 

Sect.  9.  All  parts  of  chapter  8 of  the  Public  Statutes  and  of 
other  acts  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  act  are  hereby 
repealed. 

Sect.  10.  This  act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage. 

Approved  March  22,  1893. 


LAWS  OF  1891,  CHAPTER  14. 

% 

AN  ACT  IN  AID  OF  THE  PUBLIC  LIBRARIES  OF  THIS  STATE. 

Be  it  enacted  by  tlie  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  in  Gen- 
eral Court  convened : 

Section  1.  The  secretary  of  state  shall  procure  and  furnish 
to  each  public  library  in  this  state  and  the  Soldiers’  Home  one 
copy  of  each  history  of  New  Hampshire  organizations  in  the 
War  of  the  Rebellion  which  is  not  out  of  print,  and  has  been  or 
may  hereafter  be  published  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of 
existing  laws. 

Sect.  2.  This  act  shall  be  in  aid  only  of  such  libraries  as  are 
regularly  open  for  the  use  of  the  public  in  the  towns  and  cities 
where  they  may  be  located,  and  which  are  duly  designated  as 
public  libraries  entitled  to  receive  state  publications  by  the  gov- 
ernor and  council,  in  accordance  with  existing  laws,  on  the  first 
day  of  February  next  following  the  publication  of  such  history. 

Sect.  3.  This  act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage. 

[Approved  March  12,  1891.] 


4 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE  LIHKARY  LAWS. 

as  may  be  necessary  for  the  suitable  accommodation  ; and  for 
the  compensation  of  such  officers  or  agents  as  may  be  necessa- 
rily employed  in  the  establishment  and  management  of  such 
library. 

Sect.  2.  Every  public  library  established  under  the  provisions 
of  this  act  shall  be  open  to  the  free  use  of  every  inhabitant  of 
the  town  or  city  where  the  same  exists,  for  the  general  diffusion 
of  intelligence  among  all  classes  of  the  community,  subject  to 
such  rules  and  regulations  for  the  well  ordering  and  careful  pres- 
ervation thereof  as  may  be  established  and  ordained  by  such 
town  or  city. 

Sect.  3.  Any  town  or  city  may  receive,  hold,  and  possess,  or 
sell  and  dispose  of,  all  such  gifts,  donations,  devises,  bequests 
and  legacies  as  may  be  made  to  such  town  or  city,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  establishing,  increasing,  pr  improving  any  such  public 
library ; and  may  apply  the  proceeds,  interest,  rents,  and  profits 
accruing  therefrom,  in  such  manner  as  will  best  promote  the 
prosperity  and  utility  of  such  library. 

Sect.  4.  Every  town  or  city  in  which  a public  library  shall  be 
established  under  the  provisions  of  this  act,  shall  be  entitled  to 
receive  annually  a copy  of  the  laws,  journals,  and  all  other 
works  published  by  authority  of  the  state,  for  the  use  of  such 
library,  and  the  secretary  of  state  is  hereby  authorized  and 
required  to  furnish  the  same  from  year  to  year  to  such  town  or 
city. 

Sect.  5.  This  act  shall  take  effect  from  and  after  its  passage. 

[Approved,  July  7,  1849.] 

This  law  is  now  reenacted  in  the  Public  Statutes,  ch.  40,  ss.  3-7;  ch.  5,  ss.  6,  8, 
10, 11.  Ch.  15,  s.  13;  See,  also,  Pamphlet  Laws,  1881,  ch.  123;  1885,  ch.  12,  s.  2;  1887, 
ch.  145.  Corporations  may  be  formed  to  establish  libraries,  Public  Statutes,  ch. 
147,  s.  1,  2;  injury  to  property  of  libraries  punished,  ch.  266,  s.  26. 


LIBRARY  LAWS. 


CHAPTER  126. 

JOINT  RESOLUTION  RELATING  TO  THE  RELIEF  OF  STATE  LIBRARIES 
BY  THE  GENERAL  GOVERNMENT. 

Whereas,  The  national  government  lias  thus  far  not  given  to 
the  state  and  territorial  libraries  the  aid  and  assistance  which  it 
is  desirable  should  be  given ; therefore,  be  it 

Resolved , That  congress  should  provide  : 1 . For  free  trans- 

portation by  mail  of  all  books  and  all  printed  matter  between 
state  libraries;  2.  By  international  arrangement  for  free  trans- 
portation of  books  and  other  printed  matter  between  state  libra- 
ries and  departments  of  foreign  governments ; 3.  For  a lower 
rate  of  postage  on  books  ; 4.  That  the  privilege  now  enjoyed  by 
the  library  of  congress  and  by  societies,  colleges  and  schools  in 
the  exemption  of  books  from*  import  duties,  should  be  extended 
to  state  libraries. 

Resolved , That  our  senators  in  congress  be  instructed  and  our 
representatives  be  requested  to  use  all  reasonable  efforts  to 
accomplish  the  purposes  set  forth  in  these  resolutions. 

[Approved  April  11,  1891.] 


LAAVS  OF  1849,  CHAPTER  861. 


Section 

1.  Towns  or  cities  may  raise  money 

to  establish  public  libraries. 

2.  Libraries  to  be  free. 

3.  Towns  or  cities  may  receive  gifts, 

&c.,  for  library. 


Section 

4.  Libraries  established  under  this 

act  to  receive  laws,  journals,  &c. 

5.  Act  to  take  effect  from  and  after 

its  passage. 


Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives in  General  Court  convened , That  any  town  in  this 
State,  at  any  legal  meeting  notified  and  holden  for  the  purpose, 
and  the  city  council  of  any  city  in  this  state,  may  raise  and 
appropriate  money  to  procure  books,  maps,  charts,  periodicals, 
and  other  publications  for  the  establishment  and  perpetual  main- 
tenance within  the  limits  of  such  town  or  city  of  a public  library  ; 
for  the  purchase  of  such  lands  and  the  erection  of  such  buildings 


